GENESEE, Colo. -- A fatal crash closed Interstate 70 just west of metro Denver for several hours on Monday night into Tuesday morning, the Colorado Department of Transportation said.

The crash happened near mile marker 254, the exit for U.S. Highway 40 in the Genesee area, about 8:25 p.m.

The Colorado State Patrol said two people were killed in the crash. A third was seriously injured and was taken to a hospital.

A spokesman said two vehicles were involved in the crash. A driver traveling in the eastbound lanes lost control of the vehicle, crossed over the median and crashed into another vehicle traveling westbound.

While eastbound lanes originally remained open, authorities closed them as a helicopter arrived at the scene. The lanes later reopened.